The 44th edition of the Ryder Cup takes place in September in Rome; it was originally scheduled to be held in 2022.
Europe will be buoyed by Rory McIlroy’s second-place finish at the US Open. The Northern Irishman was Europe’s closest contender to Los Angeles, finishing just one stroke behind the first big winner Wyndham Clark. Meanwhile, Tommy Fleetwood finished tied for fifth thanks to a closing 63.
Rickie Fowler’s resurgence at the US Open will delight US captain Zach Johnson, but Justin Thomas’ pitiful form will be a huge concern.
Here, the golf experts at Telegraph Sport make their selections.
James Corrigan, Golf Correspondent
Wyndham Clark looks like a natural Ryder Cup and Zach Johnson will be delighted to have it. The big concern for the American captain is Justin Thomas, who shot an 81 to miss the cut and thus continue his terrible fun.
Unless the former world No. 1 can bounce back over the next few months, he could lose his spot to Dustin Johnson or Rickie Fowler. For Europe, Tommy Fleetwood’s form is a boon, with his 63 on Sunday after his play-off defeat in Canada.
Jordan Smith’s 66 to finish 20th caught the eye but for now Yannick Paul is in the automatic standings. Pablo Larrazabal’s recent pair of wins make him the favorite to become Jon Rahm’s Spain man in Rome.
Europe: Rahm, McIlroy, Hovland, Hatton, Lowry, Fitzpatrick, Fleetwood, Rose, Straka, Meronk, Larrazabal, Paul
WE: Scheffler, Koepka, Homa, Spieth, Thomas, Cantlay, Young, Schauffele, Burns, Morikawa, Finau
Oliver Brown, Chief Sports Editor
In the wake of the US Open, a few key personnel changes suggest themselves. First, champion Wyndham Clark fit in unmistakably with the team, backing up his maiden PGA Tour triumph at Quail Hollow with a remarkably composed final round to fend off McIlroy’s threat and claim his national championship after cuts. missed on his two previous attempts.
In his current form, he is ahead of Tom Hoge, who is the sharpest of the ball forwards but struggles for consistency, even failing to make the weekend at the Los Angeles Country Club.
Initially, I was convinced that a Ryder Cup in Rome justified the presence of an Italian, in the person of Francesco Molinari, famous winner of five out of five points in Paris. But Molinari’s recent record is miserable: the 2018 champion has fallen all the way to world number 147 and captain Luke Donald just can’t take the risk.
Pablo Larrazabal, who won back-to-back DP World Tour titles last month, is expected to replace him.
Europe: Rahm, McIlroy, Hovland, Hatton, Lowry, Fitzpatrick, Fleetwood, Rose, Straka, Meronk, Larrazabal, N Hojgaard
WE: Scheffler, Koepka, Homa, Spieth, Thomas, Cantlay, Young, Schauffele, Burns, Morikawa, Finau, Clark
Tom Cary, Senior Sports Correspondent
Zach Johnson’s options are endless, with LIV players in the mix and so many PGA Tour pros capable of winning big. Wyndham Clark being the latest example.
It would be hard to leave out the new US Open champion. Rickie Fowler too, after his performance in Los Angeles. Justin Thomas is about to hook up.
For Europe, the first seven or eight choose themselves. Thereafter, it will come down to the instincts of Luke Donald. Still hoping Francesco Molinari could return well to rekindle his bromance with Fleetwood.
The Italian missed the cut in Los Angeles but not by much.
Europe: McIlroy, Rahm, Paul, Hovland, Hatton, Fitzpatrick, Fleetwood, Rose, Perez, Meronk, Otaegui, Straka
UNITED STATES: Scheffler, Koepka, Homa, Schauele, Spieth, Cantlay, Young, Burns, Morikawa, Clark, Johnson, Thomas
What are your team predictions for the Ryder Cup? Join the conversation in the comments section below
Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then get a year for just $9 with our exclusive US offer.